Press Release: Eight key obstacles on the road to Lords reform

17 May 2011

Today the government publishes its
proposals for Lords reform, but experts from UCL's Constitution Unit warn that
their success is far from assured, pointing out eight particular obstacles
where there is division within and between the parties.

Unit Deputy Director Dr Meg Russell said
"Lords reform has been much discussed since 1997, and indeed for 100
years. The government proposed a largely appointed house in 2001, but has edged
slowly towards a largely elected one, under pressure from MPs and the public. These
proposals look like a logical culmination of that journey. But there are many
dimensions to Lords reform, and many other factors over which parliamentarians
can disagree. While the Liberal Democrats are fairly cohesive on this issue,
there is much opposition on the Conservative benches, and Labour has long been
split on Lords reform".

The eight key sticking points are likely to
be:

Proportion elected. The government proposes
80%, but many purists will want 100%, while others object to election.

Electoral system. The proposal is for STV,
a proportional system. Many Conservatives object to proportionality, while
others will argue over the detail.

Terms of office. 15 year non-renewable
terms are proposed. Some think this is too long, while others believe
re-election is essential for accountability.

Bishops. A reduction from 26 to 12 is
proposed: possibly a compromise that pleases no one. Many want the bishops to
go.

Lords powers. These would remain unchanged,
but some think an elected house will need its wings clipped if it is not to
become too dominant.

Expertise and independence. The proposed
reduction to 300 members leaves little space for part-timers, but many see the
Lords' expertise as its greatest asset.

Transition. The existing 800+ peers will
need to be phased out, and there will be many arguments about how this should
be done.

Referendum. Labour in particular may claim
that such a major change should be put to the people: their manifesto promised a
referendum on Lords reform.

Meg Russell added "There will be much
talk about how the Lords will respond to these proposals, and whether they will
need to be forced through. But the bigger question is whether they will gain
support in the House of Commons, given that there are so many issues on which
MPs disagree. Numerous amendments are likely, and could ultimately kill a bill.
Public opinion will also be important, and support for 'more elected
politicians' cannot be guaranteed".

Unit Director Professor Robert Hazell added
"The last time a government attempted 'wholesale' Lords reform was in 1968
under Harold Wilson. These proposals failed in the House of Commons. Many
wonder whether these proposals will suffer the same fate: that is, slow
destruction by a coalition of opponents on the Conservative and Labour
benches".

Meg
Russell is available for interview and can be contacted on 0207 679 4998, meg.russell@ucl.ac.uk.
Vicki
Spence is the Unit’s Administrator (v.spence@ucl.ac.uk,
0207 679 4977) and
Brian Walker is the Unit’s Press Officer (williambrianwalker@gmail.com, 07802 176347).